T here’s no question LLA’s £110m redevelopment is an ambitious project. Transforming the terminal and

“WE ARE GENUINELY MAKING WAVES IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY” Nick Barton, CEO

Just the start

improving the airport’s infrastructure while passenger numbers continue to growwas always going to be something of a challenge. Despite those challenges, the redevelopment is broadly on schedule with a number of key milestones already reached. The relocation of the security search area to a larger space on the ground floor, along with the introduction of new equipment, has helped speed up security checks. The area will be expanded further in due course. In April, a temporary entrance was installed to make way for the terminal extension and work has now started on the new boarding pier and departure gate. The 1,700 space multi-storey car park, which includes a covered pedestrian walkway, will start

taking bookings this Autumn. The dual carriageway access road will

aviation industry because of our growth and because of the reputational shift, the like of which we could have only prayed for two years ago.” LLA is now growing faster than any other UK airport. Last year, passenger numbers rose by 17%, with growth expected to double to 18 million passengers in the next four years. “The progress we see now is only just the start,” Nick Barton remarks. “The changes to come with the terminal extension, the new aircraft pier and the construction of the Mass Passenger Transit system in the next few years (see page 3) mean it will be a continuing story of improvement for LLA on a scale it has never seen before.”

follow a fewmonths later. The transformation of the

departure lounge is also beginning to take shape. Aelia’s new Duty Free store opened for business in April. The 1,700sqmwalkthrough store has already proved popular with passengers and an official launch is planned in July. Work is also underway on creating the first of many new airside food and drink choices. Smithfield, a pub complete with airfield views, is due to open later this year. According to Chief Executive Nick Barton, the physical transformation is only part of the story. “We are genuinely making waves in the